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You May Need an Attorney and Not Even Know It

People take legal matters into their own hands every day, and sometimes they lose money and property in the process. You can make a legally binding contract without using an attorney, but you are risking missing some big legal loopholes and laws you may not be familiar with that can not only make your contract invalid but can actually cost you in the end. When you are selling or purchasing real estate, tackling the creation of a will or even just loaning money to a friend, a consultation with an attorney can be a positive step. I'll show you when and why you need an attorney.

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You May Need an Attorney and Not Even Know It

Tractor Trailer Accidents And Compensation

by Barry Butler

No one can argue that big rig trucks are indispensable when it comes to the transport of goods. These huge tractor-trailer rigs hold items as diverse as bread and milk or new 4K televisions and clothing. They are a constant presence on the roadways and you no doubt notice and respect them due to their size and speed. Unfortunately, the opposite is not always the case, and some big rig drivers are not as careful around smaller personal vehicles as they need to be. Read on to find out more about taking legal action when you've been hurt by a tractor-trailer accident. 

Big Trucks and Big Dangers

Larger, heavier vehicles always win when put against passenger vehicles when wrecks occur. Regardless of the cause, the injuries and damage to the vehicles multiply whenever a big rig is involved. When you take that into account and then add on a trucker that is tired, inattentive, or careless, there can be disastrous consequences. As far as the law is concerned, the drivers of large trucks and the companies they work for owe the general public a duty of care. That means that they must take into account how dangerous an accident involving one of their trucks might be when they train and hire drivers and conduct safety inspections of trucks.

What Causes Big Rug Crashes?

Some of the same issues that plague passenger car drivers also impact truck drivers, but with far worse consequences:

  1. Distracted Driving – Truck drivers depend on a wide variety of aids to get them from point A to B. Take a peek inside the cab and you will likely find navigators, cell phones, radios, and other equipment that allow truckers to communicate with dispatchers and other truckers. If that were not enough, the very nature of long-haul trucking might present a need to eat and drink while on the go.
  2. Vehicle Maintenance Issues – This is one of the primary causes of accidents, particularly when it comes to bad brakes. Your personal injury attorney is sure to subpoena the maintenance records for the truck involved in your accident.
  3. Driver Fatigue – This issue is so well-recognized that the federal government imposes some limits on how long a driver can be on the road without taking a rest break. When time is tight and truckers get behind schedule, time is money and they may not always obey the rules.
  4. Improper Loading – Loading a truck in such a way as to prevent shifts is vital. A load shift can send a truck onto its side very easily and you don't want to be underneath it when it happens.

If you've been the victim of a big rig accident, don't wait too long to speak to a truck wreck attorney.

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